From The Scoop: Peter Dixon's Signature Collection
From the April 13 issue of Gemstone Publishing's The Scoop:
Peter Dixon has made a name for himself in the comic industry as retailer, collector and show promoter. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, in 1972 Dixonbegan collecting comics at the age of 8 and began his collection with $10 and a stack of 40¢ DC's. Today, Dixonis the owner of Paradise Comics in Toronto, which specializes in Golden Age to high-grade Bronze Age comics. In addition, he is the co-promoter of the ParadiseComics TorontoComicon along with Kevin Boyd. Dixonhas also been an advisor to The Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide for several years.
SCOOP: What were your early favorites?
Peter Dixon (PD): I was always a fan of Batman, Superman, Green Lantern and the Flash. Spider-Man was always my favorite though.
SCOOP: How did your collecting develop from that point?
PD: I became a determined collector, when I was 12. I was on a road trip and was reading Amazing Spider-Man #163 and it was to be continued! I was stuck in a car and not able to find out what happened. At that point I decided I would collect all the Amazing Spider-Man's.
SCOOP: What got you interested in your various other areas of collecting?
PD: Just being around in the hobby has given me a great opportunity to see many other aspects. I appreciate certain artists now like L.B. Cole and Alex Schomburg, and the rarity aspects of some comics such as More Fun's and other comics. I am now getting into original art and sketches more as I get to interact with different artists on a regular basis.
SCOOP: How did your family react to collecting? Were they supportive? Disinterested?
PD: My family was very supportive. My mother would go to some of the comic shops in the area around Christmas time to help fill some of the holes in my collection. When we would go to a new city I would want to check out the comic shops and they would always find the time to drive me there.
SCOOP: Did you drift away from collecting at any point, or did you stick with them as you grew up?
PD: I have pretty much always been collecting. If anything I may have drifted away after opening my store. I think I may have been over-stimulated with the amount of collectibles I encountered.
SCOOP: Do you collect any specific area of comics? i.e. Golden Age, etc.
PD: I'll collect anything that catches my eye, it doesn't have to be a certain value or timeframe. That being said I do tend to prefer the golden age of comics.
SCOOP: What are the prizes of your collection?
PD: I've liked the Spectre most over the last while, so I'd have to say More Fun Comics #52 - 55. I also have a very nice Popeye coloring book from 1929 that has never been drawn in. There are also a number of sketches I have gotten at our convention from people such as Will Eisner that are very special.
SCOOP: As a Canadian who makes travels to the US for some of the bigger conventions, are there any things that you have noticed that are different between the two communities? Specifically, what are the differences that you have noted between collecting comics in Canada and collecting in the US?
PD: Other than the US market being much larger there isn't much difference. With eBay and CGC it is truly a global market and everybody has more access to comics. If you want to be able to flip through a large variety of comics and hold them in your hands before purchasing them, you can't beat the large US shows. That is something that we have been improving with our convention in Toronto.
SCOOP: If you could have any one comic item, what would it be and why?
PD: Wow that's tough one. My first thought was an Action Comics #1, Detective Comics #27 or Tales of Suspense #3, but a copy More Fun Comics #52 in the 9.2 grade would be awesome! Of course a cover to More Fun Comics #52 would be great as well... I guess I am trying to say there are too many things out there to narrow it down to just one.
SCOOP: What are you collecting at the moment?
PD: Basically whatever catches my eye, although I am looking for a Captain America #3 and More Fun Comics #73.
SCOOP: Do you have any stories about the one that got away?
PD: The one I remember most is an Amazing Spider-Man #9 that was in Near Mint condition. The guide was at $100 and the dealer wanted $130. I spent a long thinking it over and eventually decided to wait. Once I got home I realized that by the time I found another one in that graded it would probably worth at least that much but when I went back it was already sold. I now have a 10 minute rule that if I look at a book for that long or think about it, just buy it or you'll regret it later.
SCOOP: What do you find the most rewarding about comics and collecting in general?
PD: I think I enjoy the thrill of the hunt most. Finding a nice rare comic that I have never seen before.
SCOOP: Besides being a comic book retailer you are also involved with CGC Signature Series product. Can you explain to use what this involves and how the Signature Series process works?
PD: I have been with the CGC Signature Series since its' infancy. CGC Witness' can get books signed and submit them directly to CGC. They in turn encapsulate it and authenticate the signature and the date it was signed. This helps eliminate forgeries in our hobby.
SCOOP: As a supporter of the CGC Signature Series label how have you seen collectors and dealers react to the idea of guaranteed authentic autographed comics? How has the market for this changed since being offered and where do you see it going?
PD: It has been an interesting trip. Some people have embraced it right of the bat. Others took awhile to warm up to it but once people see it and realize they can participate in getting signature series books it's become very popular. It is still fairly young as most people still are unaware that it exists. There is plenty more potential and I think we will see a huge growth over the next few years.
SCOOP: You have met a number of artists and creative personalities involved with comics with the Signature Series label. Among those are Stan Lee, Jerry Robinson, Dave Sim, and many others. Do you have any interesting stories in getting creators and artists to sign comics for the CGC Signature Series label?
PD: Dave Sim was fabulous and embraced the idea from the beginning. When he and Gerhard agree to sign all his file copies (they did 2700 copies in one day and we only got to issue #135) it was great fun to admire the stunning copies and hear them tell different stories about particular issues or travels. The same goes for Stan Lee, he would stop to explain how he would put or refuse to put a word bubble somewhere on a cover so as not to ruin its continuity.
SCOOP: Do you yourself have any CGC certified Signature Series comics in your collection? Are there any specific books that standout and are there any memorable experiences in getting them?
PD: I try and collect some of the older classic books and get some interesting combinations. I have a Batman #2 signed by Jerry Robinson, and a few books signed by Martin Nodell. I have a Flash #102 signed by Carmine Infantino and Joe Kubert. I also have an Amazing Spider-Man #129 signed by Stan Lee and Thomas Jane. One of the books that I got done for fun is our convention program covers signed by 10 - 14 different professionals.
SCOOP: What do you look for in a comic that you want to get signed for a Signature Series? What, in you opinion, makes a comic worth the time and money to get it slabbed that way?
PD: I look for a few different things in a comic for the signature series. If the book is for me it is usually a rare/key book first and condition is a bonus. I like the classic artists or creators so there usually isn't a large volume of their signature series books out there.
For the newer books I look for the hot books in high-grade, getting multiple signatures on a book is can also be a huge bonus.
SCOOP: For older comics, does grade play a part in your decision to have something signed for CGC?
PD: Not really, first and foremost would be the rarity. Grade is always important and a consideration but when you are dealing with the classics, the signature carries the most weight.
SCOOP: Some people believe that getting books signed is just another defect like spine roll or stress lines. What do you say to them when you defend getting your books slabbed as Signature Series?
PD: There are still many people that don't like their books signed, they see it as writing, on the comic, a defect. That is fine. There are others that will only get it signed if they are there to say hi and shake a hand, the sentimental part is more important, which is fine too. What I do explain to people when they ask about the value of signature series is, if some people feel it decreases the value of the book and some people think it increases the value just deal with the people that think it increases the value.
SCOOP: What creators' signatures are you still looking to get? What is their appeal and which book would you get signed?
PD: I have got most of the people I have admired and always wanted to meet, Shelly Moldoff, Will Eisner, Stan Lee, Jerry Robinson, Joe Simon, Martin Nodell, John Byrne, and many others. Some of the people I would still like to get are Craig Flessel, Alan Moore, and of course everyone's dream signature Steve Ditko. I only wish I could have meet two of my idols, Alex Schomburg, and L.B. Cole.
SCOOP: What advice do you have for people starting to collect comics?
PD: First and foremost collect what you like. Comics are to be enjoyed first and worry about the investment later. If you like what you are collecting odds are others do to and their values will go up.
